Tension device for knitting machines



Feb. 11, 1947. SCARBOROUGH 2,415,535-

TENSION DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y INVENTOR FREDERICK SCARBOROUGH Feb. 11 I947. BcRdu I 2,415,535 7 'TENSION DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BOX INVENTOR FREDERICK scAneoaousH ATTORNEY Fatentecl F eh. 11, 1947 2,415,535 TENSION DEVICE FOR KNITTING HINE MAC

Frederick Scarborough, Rutherford, N. J. Application August 23, 1945, Serial No. 612,241

13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tension devices for knitting machines.

More specifically the invention proposes a new and improved tension device which may be used on all types of knitting machines where the yarn is taken from a wound package, more specifically known as a cone of yarn.

During the process of knitting the yarn is removed from the cone at a very rapid pace until the yarn carrier finishes its stroke, completing motion of the machine in one direction. While the machine is in motion in another direction the yarn carrier is in a standing position, and due to the whipping action there is more thread taken from the yarn package than is required, causing the unused portion of the thread to fall back of the present tension limp and uncontrolled. This loose uncontrolled thread is susceptible to formation of loops, or curls which either cause press-offs or imperfections in the knitted fabric. When three carrier attachments are employed, the afore-mentioned diificulties are multiplied and also the possibility of the loose threads becoming entangled with each other. Another fault with the present tension devices is unless provision is made to prevent the loose thread from looping beneath the yarn package, it will result in a press-ofi.

By the use of the new and improved tension device the thread material will be removed from the yarn cone in a manner that will allow free and even feeding of the thread to the needles.

The present so-called tension wire now in vogue can be removed because they will no longer be required. There is also no further need of the snapper arrangements, this is, of course optional and can be left as a uide of the thread to the carrier position.

It is another object of the invention to so construct the new tension device that any pinching of the thread or yarn will be avoided. It is proposed to provide the tension device with several annular weights through which the thread or yarn passes so that one weight may control slack in the thread between the needles and the tension device, and the other weight or weights may control the slack of the thread between the yarn cone and the tension device. The latter action of this tension device thereby prevents back lashing of the thread which is the common cause of snarls, curls or loops. The danger of loose thread catching under the wound cone is eliminated, and in the use of three carrier attachments of two ends becoming entangled is avoided.

Still further the invention proposes a new and improved tension device, as briefly explained, which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part; of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tension device for knitting machines constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1 but illustrated with the thread in a slightly slackened position.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of Fig. 1 but illustrated with the thread completely slackened.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig.5, illustrated with the thread and weights removed and with one of the parts of the tension device in a, raised position.

Fig. 7 is a vertical schematic view showing an optional location of the tension device with respect to a knitting machine.

The new and improved tension device for knitting machines in accordance with this invention includes a body Ill, having one or more open compartments H which have side walls I 2. In the particular design of body shown on the drawings, it is formed from sheet metal, preferably stainles steel. Strips of metal are bent to form the compartments and are soldered, or connected with each other, in any other way. With thi construction the compartments H are opened at the front as well as at the back. It is essential that the compartments H be opened at least at one side so that the interiors are accessible.

The body-J0 is provided with thread guide elements M for guiding the thread or yarn through the compartment H. These guide elements it are in the nature of porcelain eye1ets, and they are mounted through the side walls [2 of the compartments.

Members l6 are removably mounted upon the body It and have spaced arms I! extending vertically through the compartments it. These members T6 are in the nature of U-shaped wire members. The top Walls of the compartments H taken on view taken on the are formed with spaced openings I 8 through which arms ll pass. The central bends of the member It may be used in the nature of handles by which the member may be gripped and pulled upwards free from the body it. The bottom ends of the arms ll pass through spaced opening 19 formed in the bottom walls of the compartments H.

Annular shaped weights at, preferably thermoplastic rings, are slidably mounted on the spaced arms ii for a thread or threads to pass through, to tension the threads. The bottom walls of the compartments ll have projecting portions 2i in the vicinity of the openings l9; These pro.-v jecting portions 2! are bent from the material of the bottom walls of the compartments l l. The bottom ends of the arms ll engage against the outer faces of the bent portions 2| for frictionally holding the members 16 in a removable condition.

The projections 2i have another purpose. They serve to support the annular weights in inclined positions when the weights 2%} are free and rest upon the bottom walls or the compartments H. When the weights 2B are thus supported in inclined positions, they have their top portions projecting upwards and free from contacting with the bottom walls of the compartments H. For this reason, a thread passing through the weights 28 will not be pinched between the weights and the bottom walls of the compartments. The body i0 is provided with a clip by which it may be conveniently mounted on a support for the tension device.

The operation of the device may be understood from the following:

A thread T is threaded through the eyelets l4 and in between the arms I! of the members 16 and through the weights or rings 20. When the thread T is tight, the parts will appear as illustrated in Fig. 1. If the thread T slackens slightly,

the weights 29 will move downwards as illustrated in Fig. l, maintaining the tension of the thread T. For this reason, the tension of the thread will be maintained between the cone of yarn or thread and the tension device, and also between the tension device and the needles of the knitting machine. The Weights or rings 28 may be properly selected to tension the thread T by their mass. If necessary mor than one ring 26, may be used upon each of the pairs of spaced arms l1. In this way the tension of the thread can be controlled.

When the thread T slackens completely, the annular weights 26 will move down and rest upon the bottom walls of the compartments 1 i. They are now rested upon the projecting portions 2! as illustrated in Fig. 5, and will be held in inclined positions. For this reason, the top portions of the annular weights 20 will be projected upwards out of contact with. the bottom walls of the compartments H. Consequently, thread T cannot be pinched between the weights of the bottom walls of the compartments I l.

The weights Zitmay be easily removed and replaced. It is merely necessary to grip any member l 6 and pull it upward so that its bottom ends come out of the openings 13. Now the ring or rings 20 are free. Fig. 6 illustrates a member I 6 in a raised position. The weights thereof may now be replaced with weights of selected masses.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right reservedto all hans and mpdifisa e s com.-

ing within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new,-.and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartment means having side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartment means, members removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartment means, and annular shaped weights slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread.

2. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartments, members removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartents an n ula ha ed h s li ab mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said body comprising strips or metal secured together.

3. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side walls guide elements for guiding a, thread or yarn through said compartments, members removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartments, and annular shaped weights slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said body being provided with a clip by which the tension device may easily b supported.

4. A tension device for knittin machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side Walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartments, members removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartments, and annular shaped weights slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said guide elements comprising; procelain eyelets mounted through the. side walls of; said body.

5. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side Walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartments, members removably mounted, on said body and having spaced arms extendil g vertically through said compartments, and annular shaped weights slidably; m e 7 saids aced arms for said thread to s r h re ention a d e d. sai mbers c m s n in rt d; l-shaned m e s.

6. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread r ar hr u h sa d; comp rtm s. mbe r mova mount d n said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartments, and annular shaped weights slidably mountedon said spfififid ar s for said thread to pass through to tension saidthread, said members comprising inverted ueshaped members, havins t e spaced rm ass n h ou h. openings in h n bo t m Walls sa d b d 7. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body-haying open compartments having side wall uide elements for guiding a thread or ya h ough sai com ar m n mem e s removably m un ed; on. s d bo a d havin spaced arms ex tending; vertically through said compartments, and; annular-shaped weights slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said memhers comprising inverted U-shaped members, having their spaced arms passing through openings in the top and bottom walls of said body, the bottom walls of said compartments being provided with projecting portions against which the bottom ends of said spaced arms frictionally engage.

8. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartments, members removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartments, and annular shaped weights slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said annular shaped weights comprising thermo-plastic rings.

9. A tension device for knitting machines, comprising a body having open compartments having side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartments, members removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartments, and annular shaped weights slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, the bottom walls of said compartments having projection portions for supporting said annular shaped weights at inclinations with their top portions projecting upwards and free from contacting with said bottom walls, whereby said thread cannot be pinched between said weights and the bottom walls of said compartments.

10. In a tension device for knitting machines, a body having an open compartment with side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartment, a member removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartment, and an annular-shaped weight slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread.

11. In a tension device for knitting machines, a body having an open compartment with side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartment, a member removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartment, and an annular shaped weight slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said guide elements comprising porcelain eyelets mounted through said side walls.

12. In a tension device for knitting'machines, a body having an open compartment with side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartment, a member removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartment, and an annular-shaped weight slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said member comprising a U-shaped member having its top portion above the top wall of said body and having its arms extending through openings formed in the top and bottom walls of said body.

13. In a tension device for knitting machines, a body having an open compartment with side walls, guide elements for guiding a thread or yarn through said compartment, a member removably mounted on said body and having spaced arms extending vertically through said compartment, and an annular-shaped weight slidably mounted on said spaced arms for said thread to pass through to tension said thread, said member comprising a U-shaped member having its top portion above the top wall of said body and having its arms extending through openings formed in the top and bottom walls of said body, and the bottom wall of said compartment having aprojecting portion for supporting said annular weight at an inclination and with its top portion projecting upwards and free from contacting said bottom wall.

FREDERICK SCARBOROUGH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,281,427 Freer Apr. 28, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,913 British Jan. 23, 1913 

